The Gospel Music Association has released its list of "Eligible Entries" for the 34th Annual Dove Awards. In plain English, this is the list that the final nominees will be drawn from in every category. The list can be viewed online at www.doveawards.com/voting2003/submitted.cfm. After a long process of narrowing-down, based on absolute eligibility (not to mention inter-industry politics), this list was born. GMA members now have until January 6 to submit their ballots for the nominations, which should be announced around the beginning of February.

The GMA is operating on a slightly accelerated schedule this year due to the Dove Awards being moved up two weeks to April 10. The Awards traditionally take place on the fourth Thursday in April, but this year a change was desired because Gospel Music Week (the week-long convention that preceeds the Awards show) would have otherwise coincided with Easter Sunday (April 20).

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for my annual predictions of the most likely nominees.